My high school experiences was one that I will always look back on with fondness. I was definitely not one of those kids who was itching to get out of the school and out of my hometown, and I think that is partly because of the positive experience that I had in my high school.
My high school helped shape me academically in many ways. Like we see in "Hope in the Unseen", Cedric's character is constantly put down for his willingness to learn and is looked as a "nerd" because he is one of the smartest in his class. Cedric's character is different from me in many ways, but the strongest is his status in school for being smart. In my high school, being smart was accepted by everyone. Those who were in the highest AP classes were often the most popular kids, the best athletes, and the most talented musicians. Teachers praised students for good work and really tried to help those students who struggled. This shaped me academically because it motivated me to be a great student in the most basic way, to feel appreciated. My school also instilled a community value in me that has lead me to always ask for help when I need it. They encourage peer editing, and study groups; these types of interactions made me realize that if there is something that I don't understand in a class, I learn better being taught by another student rather than the teacher.
Not only were the classes great at my school, but the extracurricular activities were as well. They had staff that were leading clubs, that were actually there because they wanted to be. Our drama department, which I helped with backstage, was one of the best in the state simply because everyone their was so passionate about it. Same with almost all the programs we had. I was also involved in the orchestra as well as sports teams while I was in high school. And no matter what your role was in any activity, the administration and faculty really supported you. I can't remember a sporting event, drama production, orchestra concert, or any other event at the school where I didn't see more than 20 staff members there.That kind of support is unbeatable.
One of my most influential teachers was one of the teachers that came to all of the events and was liked by every student they ever had. He wasn't my biology teacher that made me realize I loved biology and that is why he is my biggest influence. He was actually my gym teacher my junior year of wellness, his name was Jim Kurz. I don't really think he knows how influential he is to many of his students, but I know that I am not the first student to truly be touched by him. Not only is a hilarious guy, always smiling, and never sad, but he is treats all of his students like people, and equals. He asked us what we wanted to get out of wellness that year and understood what things we didn't because he agreed that they were pretty bogus. He also made an effort to get to know everyone of his students on a personal level. He was the only teacher of mine to come to my grandfathers funeral when he passed away during my junior year and that is something you can never forget. For all of these reasons, Mr. Kurz was my most influential teacher in high school because he understood that we were people, not just numbers in a class.
My high school helped shape me academically in many ways. Like we see in "Hope in the Unseen", Cedric's character is constantly put down for his willingness to learn and is looked as a "nerd" because he is one of the smartest in his class. Cedric's character is different from me in many ways, but the strongest is his status in school for being smart. In my high school, being smart was accepted by everyone. Those who were in the highest AP classes were often the most popular kids, the best athletes, and the most talented musicians. Teachers praised students for good work and really tried to help those students who struggled. This shaped me academically because it motivated me to be a great student in the most basic way, to feel appreciated. My school also instilled a community value in me that has lead me to always ask for help when I need it. They encourage peer editing, and study groups; these types of interactions made me realize that if there is something that I don't understand in a class, I learn better being taught by another student rather than the teacher.
Not only were the classes great at my school, but the extracurricular activities were as well. They had staff that were leading clubs, that were actually there because they wanted to be. Our drama department, which I helped with backstage, was one of the best in the state simply because everyone their was so passionate about it. Same with almost all the programs we had. I was also involved in the orchestra as well as sports teams while I was in high school. And no matter what your role was in any activity, the administration and faculty really supported you. I can't remember a sporting event, drama production, orchestra concert, or any other event at the school where I didn't see more than 20 staff members there.That kind of support is unbeatable.
One of my most influential teachers was one of the teachers that came to all of the events and was liked by every student they ever had. He wasn't my biology teacher that made me realize I loved biology and that is why he is my biggest influence. He was actually my gym teacher my junior year of wellness, his name was Jim Kurz. I don't really think he knows how influential he is to many of his students, but I know that I am not the first student to truly be touched by him. Not only is a hilarious guy, always smiling, and never sad, but he is treats all of his students like people, and equals. He asked us what we wanted to get out of wellness that year and understood what things we didn't because he agreed that they were pretty bogus. He also made an effort to get to know everyone of his students on a personal level. He was the only teacher of mine to come to my grandfathers funeral when he passed away during my junior year and that is something you can never forget. For all of these reasons, Mr. Kurz was my most influential teacher in high school because he understood that we were people, not just numbers in a class.